NSW Waratahs fans need not despair, Israel Folau is on his way to South Africa after all.

After fearing he would probably miss the Waratahs’ two games in the Republic with a badly swollen throat, the tryscoring ace departed on Saturday morning hoping to be fit to tackle the Stormers next weekend in Cape Town.

Folau will miss Sunday morning’s showdown with the table-topping Sharks in Durban but is recovering well after copping a knock to the throat against the Melbourne Rebels last Friday night.

The superstar fullback could barely speak after the Rebels match and doctors instructed him not to make the long-haul fly to South Africa last week with teammates because his condition would affect his breathing and sleeping.

But he says his voice is now back to about 80 per cent.

“The voice is coming good so it’s a good sign,” Folau said.

“My airways are pretty clear so it feels pretty good.”

Folau has scored eight tries in four games this campaign at an amazing strike rate, but modestly played down talk the Waratahs are a one-man band that can’t win without him.

“It’s a team performance and I’ve been lucky enough to just be in the right place at the right time. To get those tries, I think I’ve been lucky,” he said.

“We’ve got a very strong side that we’ll field against the Sharks, so I hope they go well and I’m sure they will.”